Get into the Christmas spirit with these great events held by our community partners. The gifts and donations collected at these events will benefit the Caring for Community at Christmas program, ensuring every local child and youth get a special gift under their tree, and that adults and seniors can enjoy a meaningful meal, with dignity. Click on the link below for more information.

The Winner of the People's Choice is the CYF Team with Harry Potter! Congratulations! Since we all had fun, we were all winners!

We need your help selecting a winner for the People's Choice Award in our Halloween Costume competition! Please make a comment here or email your vote to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before Nov. 6, 2017 and the winner will be announced Nov. 7. Thank you for your Halloween Spirit! BIG bragging rights at stake here.😊There are 3 teams:1. Child, Youth & Family Centre Team (Harry Potter theme)2. Thrift Shop Team (Individual, no theme)3. Admin Team (Peter Pan theme)

This free workshop gives you an edge in the competitive renters market. The program stands for Supporting Tenancy through Action and Resources. Classes are interactive and fun, and require active participation. Upon successful completion, a certificate is issued. Topics include living with others, budgeting, and rights and responsibilities. The program takes place Nov. 6-10 from 1 to 4 pm at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Light refreshments and healthy snacks will be provided, and there are prizes to be won. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Call 250-248-2093 ext 241 to secure your space. Must be 16 years or older. The STAR program was created by the Nanaimo Women's Centre. The SOS Community Services Centre is located at 245 West Hirst Ave. in Parksville (kitty corner to the SOS Thrift Shop).

Want to get into the Halloween spirit without breaking the bank? Are you on the hunt for a creative, one-of-a-kind ensemble? Come check out the Halloween section at the SOS Thrift Shop! There's something for everybody, and all purchases support vital community programs and services. 188 West Hirst Ave Parksville, open 9 am-4 pm Monday-Saturday.

An event on Oct. 12 in Parksville will provide free products and services to homeless people, and those at risk of homelessness in Oceanside, while also bringing community members together to show support for our region’s mot vulnerable.

The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness is hosting the fourth annual Project Connect Health Fair on Oct. 12 at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. This event coincides with Homelessness Action Week in B.C.

A number of services providers will be present at the event, including Island Crisis Care Society, Forward House Community Society, Society of Organized Services (SOS), Canadian Mental Health Association, The Career Centre, Mental Health & Substance Use and Ministry of Social Development, among many others.

The event will offer free hair cuts, hearing exams, foot care, public health testing, portraits and many other valuable services. A veterinarian will also be on hand for those who have pets. Donations from service providers and community members will provide give-away items including food, pet food, and hygiene items.

Along with serving residents in-need, the event aims to raise awareness about homelessness in Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the surrounding communities, and to give service providers a valuable opportunity to connect with each other about their services.

Local seniors may be missing out on government benefits, and two seminars hosted by SOS on Oct. 5 aims to change that.Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at both SOS locations, a Service Canada Representative will provide much-needed information on Federal Government programs, services and benefits. This is a very popular seminar and pre-registration is required, as seating is limited. The seminar will run from 9:30-11:30 am on Oct. 5 at SOS in Parksville (245 West Hirst Ave) and from 1:30-3:30 pm at SOS at Qualicum Commons (744 Primrose St.) Pre-register by calling 250-248-2093 ext. 239.

Your opportunity to make time for, and work on, yourself starts this Fall at SOS. There are two Personal Growth Sessions starting in September, 2017. The cost for both are $5 per session, and the remainder of the costs are subsidized by SOS. Call 250-248-2093 ext. 225 to register. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Meet our new board

New faces at SOS

The SOS has three new board members who will help set direction for the non-profit organization. SOS has been working for 49 years in Parksville Qualicum Beach to provide support to residents and deliver relevant, community-based programs and services.

New SOS director Joshua Dennis moved to the area from North Eastern BC and works as an IT Consultant. Some of the areas where he has previously volunteered include Thailand after the 2004 Tsunami, he recently set up a computer lab in a school in Myanmar, and he is working to retrofit dozens of other schools with modern computer technology.

Don Luke worked in telecommunications for 40 years, before moving to Parksville in 2000. While working in Ontario, he joined Revenue Canada’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, and has continued that work with SOS. Luke was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers this year, in recognition of his contributions to this community.

Paul Ruffell was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where he received his engineering degree. He came to Canada in 1981 and worked in the Arctic for a decade. He became president and CEO of an Engineering Consulting firm based in Western Canada, and eventually led an Infrastructure group with 3,500 staff across Canada.

Garry Cox was re-elected to continue his role as the Chair of the SOS Board, Martin Fereday will continue to serve his two-year term and was elected as First Vice Chair, Elaine McKinlay was re-elected and will serve as Second Vice Chair. Jennifer Mullett was re-elected to the board, as well as Barbara Price. The following directors will continue to fulfil their two-year terms: Gordon Ball, Don Dempson and Pamela May-Straka. Renate Sutherland will stay on as Executive Director until January 2018.

We won! Our thanks to all the amazing volunteers and program participants who joined us on Canada Day and helped us win 1st place in the Community Entry Category! And thanks to all of you in the crowd who cheered us on with so much enthusiasm. What a great way to celebrate our country.

June 22 at 7 pm

Join SOS for our Annual General Meeting on June 22 at 7 p.m. Members will elect new directors, our new Annual Report will be revealed, and audited financial statements will be presented. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by June 16, 2017, to the SOS Administration Office 250-248-2093 ext. 0. The AGM will take place at the SOS Child, Youth & Family Centre at 245 West Hirst Ave.

It was a fun-filled day, packed with action at Qualicum Beach Family Day this year. We were thrilled to be part of the parade and win second place for Community Spirit! Thanks to all the families who came and had fun with us at our booth. What a wonderful event for our community.

SOS is able to offer a wealth of vital programs and services to our residents because of the support we have from the community, and our volunteers. This video gives insight into our TIC TAC Program (Time in Comfort for Tots and Caregivers) and recognizes how essential our volunteers are.